The MedGardens team has been studying the ecological status of the Cystoseira s.l. forests in different areas of the Mediterranean island of Mallorca (Spain) since 2021. One of the areas where the ecological status of these forests has been found to be unfavorable is Formentor-Mollet.
In this area, there was a severe impact due to the anthropic pressure of the works carried out when the coast began to be urbanized from 1930, that probably caused the disappearance of the shallow forests of Cystoseira s.l. No other impacts have been observed in this habitat and the Cystoseira s.l. forests are in good ecological condition in nearby areas, which implies that nowadays the conditions are suitable for the development of these species.
However, natural recruitment is not possible since these species have a small dispersal range, so it is necessary to apply active restoration measures to recover the lost Cystoseira s.l. forests of Formentor-Mollet. Therefore, in 2022 the "in situ recruitment enhancement" method (Verdura et al., 2017) was carried out for 3 species (Ericaria crinita, Cystoseira foeniculacea and Cystoseira pustulata- compressa), since this method does not compromise the viability of natural forests and has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the Mediterranean. Fertile structures were collected from donor areas and placed in 11 dispersal structures along the shallow rocky substrate, where they remained between May 31 and August 1, 2022. To evaluate the effect of restoration, cover data for these species were taken before (2021) and after (2023, 2024) restoration, using 25*25 cm algometers divided into 25 subunits randomly distributed along the suitable habitat.
It is still early to evaluate the effect of restoration, but the results show a positive trend in the coverage of Cystoseira s.l. before and 2 years after the restoration, so we validate this technique for our next restoration actions in shelter restoration sites like Formentor-Mollet.
It is crucial to work in coordination with the competent authorities to ensure that permits and authorisations for restoration arrive on time. In Spain it is a slow process, so it is necessary to plan restoration actions considering a period of at least 1 year before receiving the permits and authorizations, and therefore start the restoration action in the field. This minimizes the risk of not having the necessary permits during the peak reproductive period of the species to be restored, when restoration should be carried out.
The original plan was to start the restoration in April 2022 at the beginning of the peak reproductive period, but it was delayed until the end of May because we didn't receive the written authorisations before. This fact must have compromised the efficiency of the restoration actions carried out, since the fertile structures of some of the species were not at their moment of maximum reproductive development.
Also, it was observed as a relevant factor to consider the great effort required by a new team and organization to familiarize themselves with the scientific knowledge for managing Cystoseira s.l. communities as per the difficulty in understanding the biology, ecology and taxonomy behind this genus.
Positive trend in the coverage of Cystoseira s.l. before and 2 years after the restoration.
Validation of the “in situ recruitment enhancement” restoration technique (Verdura et al., 2018) for the next restoration actions in similar locations.
Community connection with the Cystoseira s.l. forests (volunteering, workshops, recreation activities, coastal management…)
In this area, there was a severe impact due to the anthropic pressure of the works carried out when the coast began to be urbanized from 1930. At that time, there were no roads and all transport of people and materials was done by sea. This impact (now mitigated) necessarily affected the shallow forests of Cystoseira s.l., probably causing their disappearance. Currently, the renovation of coastal buildings is being carried out, but unlike last century, transport is now carried out by road, so the impact (although not quantified) should be less. The water quality is adequate and no other impacts have been observed in this habitat. Furthermore, in areas adjacent to Formentor-Mollet, the Cystoseira s.l. forests are in good ecological condition, which implies that nowadays the conditions are suitable for the development of these species.
Indicator: | Ending Value: | Starting Value: |
|---|---|---|
Kelp Cover | 0.3500 % | 0.0000 % |
| Transplant Info: | |
|---|---|
| Life Stage: | NA |
| Source: | NA |
The MedGardens team has been studying the ecological status of the Cystoseira s.l. forests in different areas of the Mediterranean island of Mallorca (Spain) since 2021. One of the areas where the ecological status of these forests has been found to be unfavorable is Formentor-Mollet.
In this area, there was a severe impact due to the anthropic pressure of the works carried out when the coast began to be urbanized from 1930, that probably caused the disappearance of the shallow forests of Cystoseira s.l. No other impacts have been observed in this habitat and the Cystoseira s.l. forests are in good ecological condition in nearby areas, which implies that nowadays the conditions are suitable for the development of these species.
However, natural recruitment is not possible since these species have a small dispersal range, so it is necessary to apply active restoration measures to recover the lost Cystoseira s.l. forests of Formentor-Mollet. Therefore, in 2022 the "in situ recruitment enhancement" method (Verdura et al., 2017) was carried out for 3 species (Ericaria crinita, Cystoseira foeniculacea and Cystoseira pustulata- compressa), since this method does not compromise the viability of natural forests and has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the Mediterranean. Fertile structures were collected from donor areas and placed in 11 dispersal structures along the shallow rocky substrate, where they remained between May 31 and August 1, 2022. To evaluate the effect of restoration, cover data for these species were taken before (2021) and after (2023, 2024) restoration, using 25*25 cm algometers divided into 25 subunits randomly distributed along the suitable habitat.
It is still early to evaluate the effect of restoration, but the results show a positive trend in the coverage of Cystoseira s.l. before and 2 years after the restoration, so we validate this technique for our next restoration actions in shelter restoration sites like Formentor-Mollet.
It is crucial to work in coordination with the competent authorities to ensure that permits and authorisations for restoration arrive on time. In Spain it is a slow process, so it is necessary to plan restoration actions considering a period of at least 1 year before receiving the permits and authorizations, and therefore start the restoration action in the field. This minimizes the risk of not having the necessary permits during the peak reproductive period of the species to be restored, when restoration should be carried out.
The original plan was to start the restoration in April 2022 at the beginning of the peak reproductive period, but it was delayed until the end of May because we didn't receive the written authorisations before. This fact must have compromised the efficiency of the restoration actions carried out, since the fertile structures of some of the species were not at their moment of maximum reproductive development.
Also, it was observed as a relevant factor to consider the great effort required by a new team and organization to familiarize themselves with the scientific knowledge for managing Cystoseira s.l. communities as per the difficulty in understanding the biology, ecology and taxonomy behind this genus.
Positive trend in the coverage of Cystoseira s.l. before and 2 years after the restoration.
Validation of the “in situ recruitment enhancement” restoration technique (Verdura et al., 2018) for the next restoration actions in similar locations.
Community connection with the Cystoseira s.l. forests (volunteering, workshops, recreation activities, coastal management…)
Indicator: | Ending Value: | Starting Value: |
|---|---|---|
Kelp Cover | 1.4000 % | 0.0000 % |
| Transplant Info: | |
|---|---|
| Life Stage: | NA |
| Source: | NA |
The MedGardens team has been studying the ecological status of the Cystoseira s.l. forests in different areas of the Mediterranean island of Mallorca (Spain) since 2021. One of the areas where the ecological status of these forests has been found to be unfavorable is Formentor-Mollet.
In this area, there was a severe impact due to the anthropic pressure of the works carried out when the coast began to be urbanized from 1930, that probably caused the disappearance of the shallow forests of Cystoseira s.l. No other impacts have been observed in this habitat and the Cystoseira s.l. forests are in good ecological condition in nearby areas, which implies that nowadays the conditions are suitable for the development of these species.
However, natural recruitment is not possible since these species have a small dispersal range, so it is necessary to apply active restoration measures to recover the lost Cystoseira s.l. forests of Formentor-Mollet. Therefore, in 2022 the "in situ recruitment enhancement" method (Verdura et al., 2017) was carried out for 3 species (Ericaria crinita, Cystoseira foeniculacea and Cystoseira pustulata- compressa), since this method does not compromise the viability of natural forests and has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the Mediterranean. Fertile structures were collected from donor areas and placed in 11 dispersal structures along the shallow rocky substrate, where they remained between May 31 and August 1, 2022.
To evaluate the effect of restoration, cover data for these species were taken before (2021) and after (2023, 2024) restoration, using 25*25 cm algometers divided into 25 subunits randomly distributed along the suitable habitat.
It is still early to evaluate the effect of restoration, but the results show a positive trend in the coverage of Cystoseira s.l. before and 2 years after the restoration, so we validate this technique for our next restoration actions in shelter restoration sites like Formentor-Mollet.
It is crucial to work in coordination with the competent authorities to ensure that permits and authorisations for restoration arrive on time. In Spain it is a slow process, so it is necessary to plan restoration actions considering a period of at least 1 year before receiving the permits and authorizations, and therefore start the restoration action in the field. This minimizes the risk of not having the necessary permits during the peak reproductive period of the species to be restored, when restoration should be carried out.
The original plan was to start the restoration in April 2022 at the beginning of the peak reproductive period, but it was delayed until the end of May because we didn't receive the written authorisations before. This fact must have compromised the efficiency of the restoration actions carried out, since the fertile structures of some of the species were not at their moment of maximum reproductive development.
Also, it was observed as a relevant factor to consider the great effort required by a new team and organization to familiarize themselves with the scientific knowledge for managing Cystoseira s.l. communities as per the difficulty in understanding the biology, ecology and taxonomy behind this genus.
Positive trend in the coverage of Cystoseira s.l. before and 2 years after the restoration.
Validation of the “in situ recruitment enhancement” restoration technique (Verdura et al., 2018) for the next restoration actions in similar locations.
Community connection with the Cystoseira s.l. forests (volunteering, workshops, recreation activities, coastal management…)
Indicator: | Ending Value: | Starting Value: |
|---|---|---|
Kelp Cover | 15.9500 % | 0.9700 % |
| Transplant Info: | |
|---|---|
| Life Stage: | NA |
| Source: | NA |
| Costings: | |
|---|---|
| Cost Year: | 2024 |
| Cost Currency: | EUR |
| Total Cost: | 56,000 |
| Capital Cost: | 8,960 |
| Planning Cost: | 14,784 |
| Construction Cost: | 14,784 |
| In-Kind Cost: | 9,504 |
| Monitoring Cost: | 11,088 |
| Maintenance Cost: | 3,696 |
